Trim for plumbing fixtures



June 6, 1944. MCCA THY 2,350,790

TRIM FOR PLUMBING FIXTURES Filed July 31, 1941 Patented June 6, 19442.350390 @TmM oR- PLUMBINQ FIXTURES J. .fila ienoe ,McCarthy, ManheimTownship, Lancaster County, .Pa., assignor to Armstrong of lennsylvaniaorkCompany, 'Lancaster,''Pa.,a corporation QApplicationJnlyjl, 1941,.senor Nocoaws' f 13 Claims This invention relates todecorativeimolding-or .trimfor plumbing fixtures suchas bathtub s,-sinks, ,washtubs, lavatories -o-r analogous articles :and, more.:particularly to a trim-'member tier: connecting cri-joiningwallcovering installed on thewalls otafroom. and the rim or -edg e of -aplumbing fixture in suchjmanner as :to obviate unsightly cracks or. gapstherebetweenandseepage vorspenetration of splashed water into ,theplaster and its subsequent infiltrationinto {the backing of the. wallcovering. and theadhesivernsedsto. secure it. in place. I

,fBuilt-in bathtubs, ,for example, as installed inrdwellingslorotherabuildings, -.are usually set into-anook inthe bathroomandcontact with the .WfilLOf: the roonnoh three sides, :ontheyarelocated. i i-the. corner ofthezroom and engage two wall-S. of the, room.,-.In..the installation .of. linoleum .wa'll covering, such-covering is.adhesively secured .totheplastered-walls of the room and may extend to.the rim .of the bathtub. Insomecases, he hack surface ofthe coverinadl'acent thetub is covered with waterproof cement to.'.prevent-penetration -of moisture to. the shack ,of tl'1e covering andvsubsequent deterioration .of .the covering. Linoleum ...type wallcoverin .of course, is composed of .a thin layer .oflinoleun'rcomposition alcndered on a woven iabric .backing .such .as

.cl s ly W ven cottonv sheetin l the tubgenera y moves away from thewallcover-- j ns nd pens a considerable.crackorteanh tween the tub .andthecovering. IIjhjs liseuns ghtlyand .d t tsi om a p arance of theinstallation .as Well as permitsgsplashed water to. seep .or

p netrate bet en the tub and the coverin Even though the, rearsurface atthe edge ,ofthe a l o n e m isture resistant; because .ofthe applicationof Waterproof cement thereto .in .the

installation of. thecovering, .the plaster coating on the wallabsorbsmoistureand by capilla y attraction transfers the absorbedmoisture to, the

fabric backing of the .wall covering. vAbsQlfpti'on vof. moisture bythefabric backing. deteriorates the wall covering with resultinglooseningofthe bond between it. and the wall-and in many. casesseri-Qusly afiects ,the complete. installation requiring repla ement of ..the.wall covering.

.The chief objector .myLinvention is to provid .a decorative .trimmember. for. connectin or Join- .ing..1i.noleum-.w.al1.covering.installed ton the Walls 55 settling of the structure.

of a room and. theledge .or .rim .of a. plumbing fixturesuch .asa.bathtub, .sink,.washtub ,l lavatory or analogous .article :..disp.osed.adiacent. thereto. An obj ectof. my. inventioniseto provide-means toeliminate .or conceal unsightlygapsoncracksbe: tween ..the tub and I the:WfilL covering created. by A ,-further.. object. is to provide .asubstantially water i ht Joint between the installed wallcoverineandtherim oithe tub. .A still further-object.istmpmvidria,jointconstruction betweentthe- .rim oibuilteinhathtubs and the loweredgeofinstalled linoleum'w'all covering which is. eflective :to .l'eliminatethe obiectionablez appearance createdbyrsettling. of the tub after. theinstallation is. completedeandgv'vhich ,serves to.preventpenetrationof.water to the;back of .the covering. A stillmother-object ,is to pro,-

vide a -.trim member for bathtubs .Which.. is fedonomical, easily. and-.qnicl ly installed,. and which contains .an -.element,.n1ovable toconceal-hr hide any gap or. crack between. the Lfim ofrthertuh and the.installediwall covering.

This invention relates .,.to La trim plumbing vfixtures.whichnomprisesa' wehhavin .a recess therein adaptedtoreceiveandltoconceal the edgeof .a walleoveringand a..socket;.'ior;.the

reception of afixtureengaging,.member and 'afixtureengagingmembersegured.in. said socket. Preferably ,the fixtureenga ing. membernis'. irictionallyheldin th e socket: and. is.movable,..d,ow l

awardly to conceal any gap ,or crack betweenjthe .rim of the tubandthewall covering while it-is (end, Wall coverin adhesiyely .securell-tow'the plastered .wall .of ,a room and .spaced from .the fixture, and .atrim memberdisposed between and substantially closing the space-betweenthe fixture and the -.wall. covering. The .trim member. comprises .a webhaving a recess which receives the 1 edge of the .wall covering .and asocket .ior .the rece tion of ,a. fixture engaging member. and 1 a.fixture engaging mernherfrictionally retained. in .thesoeket and ,eneainethe fixture.v lBrefer'ably, a .gasket is provided -in, thestruotureedisposjed rearwardly. of thefixtureengaging membe andcompressed between the. rim of -.the.fixturesand the The attacheddrawing illustratesfirpreierncd h embodiment. of my inventiongniniwhiohEieurelis a.fra mentaryrnerspeo iveiziew.bi

room having a wall covered with linoleum wall covering and a built-inbathtub connected and joined by the trim member of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view in exaggerated scale of the buildingconstruction, illustrating the use of the trim member;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the trim member; i V

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the gasket used to seal the buildingstructure; and

Figure is a sectional view, similar to Figure 2, illustrating the use ofa modified form of trim member.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in Figure 1 a built-in bathtub2 placed in a corner of a room adjacent two walls of the room. It willbe understood, of course, the tub 2 may be disposed in a nook in a roomand thus engage three walls of the room. Generally, suitable studding 3is. provided to form supporting framework for the wall, which may becomposed of plaster lath or plasterboard 4; a layer or coating ofplaster 5 is placed thereover and forms the exposed surface, of the wallprior to the application of the wall covering. The corners of the roommay be rounded by means of fillet strips 6 composed of any suitablematerial. Linoleum like wall covering 1 i adhesively bonded to theplaster coating 5 and forms the decorative wall covering; the covering 1extends adjacent, but not in contact with the upper edge or rim 8 of thetub 2, leaving an open space or gap therebetween. Disposed between theedge of the wall covering 1 and therim 8 of the tub 2,is a trim member 9which serves tofill the space between the covering and "the rim ofthetub and enhances the appearance of the finished installation. Themember 9 may be formed of any suitable material which is waterresistant,noncorrosive, and which may be economically and quicklyshapedto desired form: preferablythose portions of the trim member 9 exposedto view areformed of stainless steel,

while those portions not exposed to view may .be formed of a cheapermaterial such as cold rolled steel or, if desired, member 9 may bemolded of anysuitable plastic composition.

p, member 9 comprises a web III which extends downwardly, outwardly andupwardly form- 'ing a channel or recess ll adapted to receive the [edgeof wall covering 1. A flange l2 extends outwardly and downwardly fromthe web l0 and forms, in combination with the outer wall of the channelor recess H, a socket l3 for the reception of a fixture engagingmember I4. The flange l2 preferably isintegrallyunited with the Web ID.

'to be nailed, to the supporting framework of the .wall to retain thetrim member in predetermined positionjin thestructure. The downwardlyextending portion H! of the web 1, which forms therear wall'oi therecess H, may be deformed by embossing, corrugating, or the like, ifdesired, to assist in bonding thelinoleum wall covering in the recess.

V Fixtureengaging member I 4 comprises an upper portion l4 adapted to bedisposed within the socket l3 and to be retained therein by a frictionalor force fit. The lower portion ll" of member In is curved outwardly anddownwardly and is adapted to engage the rim of the plumbing fixture 2.Member I4 is movable downwardly when the structure is in use to engagethe rim of the plumbing fixture while frictionally retained in socket l3and .thus may be moved downwardly to conceal any crack or gap betweenthe trim member and the tub created by settling of the tub or expansionand contraction of the structural members of the house.

The edge of the linoleum wall covering I disposed in the channel orreces H in the member '9preferably is coated or embedded in a layer ofwaterproof cement to prevent direct access of splashed water to thebacking of the covering. The recess II is so designed as to prevent thelayer of cement being noticeable and hence it does not detract from theappearance of the finished installation.

A gasket I8 is disposed between the trim member S'and the rim 8 of thetub 2 to seal the space therebetween and thus prevent penetration ofsplashed Water rearwardly of the tub and its in filtration into theplaster coating and the backingof the wall covering. The gasket I8 isflanged as shown in Figure 4 and may be formed of rub- ,ber, artificialrubber or other flexible, resilient,

water resistant material.

To aid in a full and complete understanding of my invention, I willdescribe the construction of a completed installation. Tub 2 is disposedin desired position, as shown in a corner of a room adjacent to a wall,althoughas previously discussed, it may be placed in a nook in a room inwhich caseitiwould be adjacent three walls ,of' the room. Gasket'IB isadhesively secured to :the. rear portion of the rim 8 of tub 2 as shownin, f ures land 2. Trim member 9 is secured in position with member l4against the rim of the tub 2 andis fastened in such position by anysuitable means; forexample, member 9 may be nailed or bolted to .thewall supporting frame- -work of the room. Member I4 is disposed tightlyagainst the fixture to ensure the maximum move- ;ment downwardly in theevent the fixture settles. Trim member 9 is disposed, preferably, insuch position that the lower wall of the plaster channel l6 engages anddeforms or compresses gasket is to some extent; it will be understoodthe gasket may be placed between some other .portion of member 9 and therim 8 of the tub 2 since all that is required is that it seal theopening or space between the covering 5 and the 'rim of tub 2 to preventseepage of splashed water rearwardly of the tub. That is, gasket l8 may,be disposed in the structure rearwardly of the fixture engaging memberand may be deformed (between the rim 8 of tub 2 and any suitableporltion of the trim 9 thus securely sealing the space therebetween andpreventing penetration of water rearwardly of tub 2. Plaster coating 5is then spread on the walls of the room and extends into and fillsplaster. channel l6 formed by plate l5 fmember 9. It will be notedplaster coating 5 is spaced from the rim 8 of tub 2 which aids inpreventing penetration of splashed water into the coating; it is alsoprotected by the sheathing 1 formedby plate l5. When the plaster coating5 has dried to a suitable extent, the wall is in condition to receivethe linoleum like wall covering 1. A layer of suitable adhesive isspread over the plaster layer 5 and the linoleum wall covering 1 isdisposed thereon and is bonded to thezwallzthereby; Ihelo'wer edgesofLWZJIL'QOVBI- ing 'ljfits iinto and nests in the channel "or a recess 1l .in member 9 thus :concealingit from view. Preferably, such edge ofthe ilinoleumxwa'llcovering "1 is embedded or covered with waterproofcement toiobvlate. anyrp'ossibility of direct penetration of water tothe J'fabric backing of the coveringaand', if desired, suchzrecess maybesubstantially'filledwith waterproof cement. The installation is 'nowcomplete and ready for use. Fixture:l4 isretained inithe' socket ['3of-member 9 solely byforces of ifriction and may, of course, beamoveddownwardly to aiurther-extent-to close any :gap or crack created bysettlingofthe tub in use.

In Figure :5, :I have shown a modified form ofmy"inventionv-particularly adaptedifor usein existing structures toeliminate unsightly gaps betweentthe-wall covering "1 and the rim8.0f'the plumbing fixture. 'Trim'member 9 is generally similar to thatshown iniFigures ':1,.2, and'3 but does not include plate l5 forming aplaster receivingchannel. Likewiseyif desired, the gasket Mumay beomitted-'fromrthe structure, the plaster coating 5 being prefer-ablyspaced from the rim 8 l of the -plumbing .fixture to preventinfiltration ct splashed water thereinto. Y'Irim -member 9 maybenailedithrough the plaster lath orplasterboard l'tothe wall supportingstudding"3. Trim 8 comprisesweb'llllforming-recess H for the-receptionof.zwall covering- 8, and socket l'3 "for the reception of fixtureengaging member 14 "held therein by a frictional'or forcefit. Member 9is secured in place in the structure and member 54' moved downwardlyto-engage rim B of the plumbing fixture-thus concealing the gap or crackbetween .the covering 1 and the rim8 of the Suitable snap-on fasteriingsor end 4 stops may be provided to conccal t'he ends of thetrim member; although thisisgenerally not necessary since such ends arepreferablyshapedto present an attractiveappearance. "Thetrim member maybe suitably curved around corners if desired but it is preferred toprovide suitable corner members adapted to receive or engage an end ofthe trim member;

*fltwillbe understood plaster'coatings may be omitted if desired and thetrim member and wall covering installed adjacent or to the wall orbuilding board. 'In such case, of course, the plate forming a plasterreceiving channel maybe omit- :ted' from the trim member.

WhilelI have described-my invention with particular reference to its usewith linoleum wallcovering,.itwillbe observed it'is also of advantage inconnectionwith installation of similar or other types of wallcoveringsuch as ceramic tiling, decorated fiber or wallboard or the'like in newor existing structures and'enhances the appearance of the structure inwhich such coverings are used. I

My invention provides a trim member for plumbing fixtureswhichadequately and satisfactorily closes the spacebetween the rim of thefixture and'the wall covering. Any crack or gap created by settling cfthe fixture may be closed merely'by'moving'the fixture engaging memberdownwardly. The jointbetween the-covering and the fixture is :sealed toprevent penetration of splashed waterrearwardlyrof the fixture. -Theplaster coating is spaced'fromth rim of then);- ture" which preventsinfiltration of "water therein and itssubsequent transfer bycapillaryattraction tat-he backof: the wall covering. The-trim memher armyinvention nermitsnan attract ve; inst llationtobe obtainedandeffectively prevents ,deterioration of theicovering rby splashedwaterand the :subsequent failure of the: installation. It is inexpensive-in-man'ufacture and may 7 be *quickly and-easilyinstalled-by-unskilled:workmen;

-While-I have described andillustrated a-pree ferredem'bodiment :o'f 'myinvention, it will *be understood cny invention is not limited theretosince it may be otherwise em'bddied "Wit-hinthe scope of'the followingclaims:

*1. A--trim-membe'r for plumbing fixtures com prising :a web extendingdownwardly, outwardly, and upwardly forming a recess-for the receptionof theedgeof 'a :wall covering, a plate extending downwardly. inwardlyand upwardly forming a plaster receiving channel, the downwardlyextending portions of said plate and said web be ing secured-to oneanother,i a "flan e extending outwardly and downwardly from the"upwardly extending portion of said weband'formingthere with'a socketfortbe receptionofa-fixture en gaging member, and a fixtureengagingmember frictionally retained insaid socketisa'id member havinga-convex portion adapted to engage the fixture andbeing movable toengage" the'fixture whilefrictionally held'in said socket.

:2.-1n a building constructionf the combination of a plumbing fixture"having a rim mamas upper end, wall covering -adhesively securedto theplastered wall' of a room and spacedfrom said'fi-xture, and a trimmember disposed between and substantially closing thespa'ce'betweenflthefixtureand the wall covering, said mem r com prising a web extendingdownwardly, outwardly, and upwardlyiforming are'cess which receivestheedge of the wall covering, a plate extending downf wardly,inwardly'andupwardly forming aplaster receiving channel, the, downwardlyextending portions of said plateand said web being. secured to oneanother, a flange extending outwardly. and downwardly from the upwardlyextendingpere tion of said web and forming therewith a socket f th reption of a fi ur en agingl'member. a ure en a -member rrict onallrretained in said socket, said member having an arcuate portion adaptedtoen age he fixture landqbeine movable with .respect ,to .the .fixture.while -.it v.is ,frictionallyheld .in said. socket; and a gasketdisposed .rearwardly of said fixture engaging member and.compressedbetween the .rim. .of the fixture and the plate sealing the:spacetherebetweenthereby preventingaccess. of splashed water to theplastered wall of the room and. subsequent infiltration .thereof tothe....back of the .wall

covering. 3. A building constructioncaccording toclaim ,2 in .which thegasket is adhesively securedito the .rim of the plumbing fixture. I

"4. A trim, member-for plumbing-fixtures .com-

, prising an elongatedw channel-shaped. web .mem-

ber adapted :to receive and toeoncealthe edge of awall covering, aflange extendingfrombne of the'walls of, the channelshaped to define, in

combination with said wall,-a socket opening in --a directioncppositethe-direction'of said channel,

prisin an elongated hannel shaped --,web' merr berzadaptedztn :receiveand to; .cq fmfieli the edge of'the wall coveringjaifi'angeextending'from.

one of'thewallsioi' the'channel shaped to define in combination withsaid wall, a'socketopenin in a direction opposite the direction of saidchannel, and a fixture engaging 'member frictionally retained in saidsocket throughout the length thereof and'ex'tending' outwardly fromsaid" socket for engagement with a plumbing fixture, said'member'being'movable outwardly toengage the fixture while frictionally held in saidsocket.

'7. A trim member for-plumbing fixtures comprising an elongatedchannel-shaped web mem-' ber adapted to receive and to conceal the edgeof a wall covering, a flange extending from one of'the'walls of thechannel shaped 'to' define, in combination with said wall, a socketopening in a-direction opposite the direction of said chan nel; a--fixture-engaging member frictionally retained in said socket throughoutthe length thereof and extending outwardly from said socket for enagement with a plumbing fixture,

said member being movable outwardly to engage the fixture whilefrictiona-lly held in saidsocket, and a plaster receiving channel-shapedmember secured to the opposite wall of the first-named channel andopening in the same direction as said first-named channel.

8. A trim member for plumbing fixtures comprising an elongatedchannel-shaped web mem ber adapted to receive and to conceal the edgeof, a wall covering, a flange extending-from one of the walls of thechannel shaped toidefine,

in combination with said wall, a socket opening in ,a directionoppositev the direction of; said channel, a fixture engaging memberfrictionally retained in said socket throughout the length thereof andextending outwardly from said socket for engagement with a plumbingfixture, said member being movable outwardly to engage the fixture whilefrictionally held in saidsocket, and a plate forming a plaster receivingchannel, said plate extending from the otherwall of said first-namedchannel, said plaster receiving channel opening in the same direction assaid first-named channel. a

9. A trim member for plumbing fixtures comprising an elongatedchannel-shaped webrmember adapted to receive and to conceal the edge ofa wall covering, a flange extending from one of the walls of the channelshaped to define, in combination with said wall, a socket opening in adirection opposite the direction of said channel, a fixture engagingmember frictionally retained in said socket throughout the lengththereof and extending outwardly from said socket'for engagement with aplumbing fixture, said member being movable outwardly to engage thefixture while frictionallyheld in said socket, said member including asocket engaging portion and an 'arcuate portion extending therefromadapted to engage the fixture, and a plate forming a plasterreceivingchannel; said plate being secured to the other wall of said first-namedchanneLIsaid plaster receiving'channel opening in the same direction assaid first-named channel.

10. In a building constructiom-the combination of a plumbing fixturehaving a rim around its upper end, wall covering adhesively' secured tothe wall of the room and spaced from said fixture, and a trim memberdisposed between and substantially closing the space between saidfixture and the wall covering, said member comprising an elongatedchannel-"shaped web member adapted to receive and to conceal the edge ofthe wall covering, a flange extending from one of the walls of thechannel shaped to define; in combination with said wall, a'socketopening in' a" direction opposite the direction of said channel, and'a'fixture-engaging member fric tionally retained in said socketthroughout the length thereof and extending outwardly from said socketfor engagement with the plumbing fixture. 11'. In a buildingconstruction, the combination of a plumbing fixture having a rim aroundits upper end, wall covering adhesively secured to the wall ofthe roomand spaced'from said fixture, and a trim member disposed betweenandsubstantially closing the space between said fixture and the wallcovering,said membercom prising an elongated channel shaped web'mem beradapted to receive and to conceal the edge of the wall covering, asocket opening in'a di-' rection opposite the direction of said'channel,and a fixture-engaging. member frictionally re tained in said socketthroughout the length thereof and extending outwardly from said socketfor engagement with the plumbingfixture, said member being movableoutwardly to engage the fixture while frictionally held-in saidso'cket.'

12.'In' a building construction; the combina tion of a plumbing fixturehaving a rim around its upper end, wall covering adhesively secured tothe plaster wall ofa room and spaced'froni the rim of said fixture, anda, trim member disposed between and substantially closing the spacebetween the fixture and the wall covering, said member comprising anelongatedv channel-shaped web member adapted to receive and to concealthe edge of the wall covering, a socket opening in a direction oppositethe direction of said channel, and a fixture-engaging memberfrictionally retained in said socket throughout the length thereof andextending'outwardly from said socket for engagement with the plumbingfixture, said member being movable to engage the fixture whilefrictionally held in saidsocket, and a gasket disposed rearwardly ofsaid fixture engaging member and between the rim of said fixture and aportion of said trim member sealing the space therebetween to preventaccess of splashed waterto' the plastered wall of the room and.subsequent infiltration to the back of the wall covering.

13. In a building construction, the combination of a plumbing fixturehaving a, rim around its upper end, wall covering adhesively secured tothe plaster wall of a room and spaced from the rim of said fixture, anda. trim member disposed between and substantially closing the spacebetween the fixture and the wall covering, said member comprising anelongated channelshaped 'web member adapted to receive and to concealthe edge of thewall covering, a-socke't opening in a direction oppositethe direction of said channel, and a fixture-engaging :membe'rfrictionally retained in said socket throughout the length thereof andextending outwardly from said socket for engagement with the plumbingfixture, said member being movable to engage the fixture whilefrictionally held in said socket, and a gasket disposed rearwardly ofsaid fixtureengaging member and compressed between the rim of saidfixture and a portion of said trim member sealing the space therebetweento prevent access of splashed water to the plastered wall of the roomand subsequent infiltration to 5 the back of the wall covering.

J. CLARENCE MCCARTHY.

